Container and closure means for the same



Dec. 26, 1933. D. E. BAXTER CONTAINER AND CLOSURE MEANS FOR THE SAME Filed 001;. 5, 1931 vwi 3% 0 p w wzwfl r A 1 49 Z% 0 5 a 4 a 34 x Z a Patented Dec. 26, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER AND CLOSURE MEANS FOR THE SAME This invention relates to an apparatus for handling liquids for intravenous use, and. relates more particularly to a container useful in connection with the sterilization of intravenous solutions and for maintaining the same in a sterile condition. It is a general object of the invention to provide an apparatus in the form of a container and a closure therefor for effectively holding a liquid, such as an intravenous solution, during its sterilization and for maintaining it in a sterile state.

Considerable difilculty has been encountered in providing an effective means for handling liquid during the process of its sterilization and for maintaining it in-a sterile state-for any appreciable period of time. It is essential that intravenous solutions such as saline solutions, glucose solutions, and the like, be made perfectly sterile and be kept in a sterile condition until used. It has been the common practice in sterilizing intravenous solutions, and the like, to place the liquid in a container having a pressure outlet or opening and then subjecting it to sufficient heat to render it sterile. The steam or vapor formed within the container during the heating of the solution is usually permitted to escape through the opening in the container which is provided with means de igned to allow the escape of the vapor and to pr vent the entrance of air or foreign material to the container. Liquids treated in the'manner outlined above will remain sterile in the container for only about twelve to fifteen hours before becoming contaminated through bacterial action or other causes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus useful in connection with the sterilization of a liquid and for preserving a liquid, by means of which the liquid may be preserved in a sterile state foran indefinite period of time. The apparatus provided by the present invention is such that the liquid is not subjected to the presence of the atmosphere at any time during its sterilization or at any time thereafter until used, so that it cannot be contaminated or polluted.

It is another object of the invention to provide a closure means for-a container or flask that provides a perfectly air-tight seal during the sterilization of a liquid in the flask and at all times thereafter, so that the liquid may be effectively preserved in the container.

It is another object of theinvention to provide a closure means of the character referred to that is adapted to withstand considerable internal pressure or pressure within the container, so

that theliquid may be heated to the desired temperature, when in the container, to sterilize it. The closure means provided by the present invention is such that it seals the container during heating of the liquid and during the cooling of the liquid, so that the liquid is not exposed to the atmosphere during its sterilization.

It is another object of the invention to provide a closure means of the character referred to that be tested after the sterilization of theliquid to determine whether or not a tight effective seal has been maintained or provided.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a closure means of the character referred to that is particularly simple and inexpensive of manufacture and that may be embodied in forms for use on containers of various characters.

Other objects and features of the invention will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical form and 5 application of the-invention, throughout which description reference will be had to the accom panying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the container pro vided by'this invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical detailed sectional view of the container and closure means, beinga view showing the container with the cap removed. Fig. 3 is a view showing the container in an inverted position for the discharging of its contents. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view of the upper end of the container and closure means, being a view taken as indicated by line 44 on Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated 9 by line 5-5 on Fig. 1. a .The apparatus provided by my present invention is adapted for use in sterilizing and for preserving various substances. Throughout the following detailed disclosure of the invention, it will be considered as employed in handling and holding an intravenous solution, for instance, a saline 'or glucose solution, it being understood that the invention is not to be taken as limited to the particular application and use referred to, nor to the specific embodiment about to be described, but is to be taken as including any features that may fall within the scope of the claims.

The invention includes, generally, a flask or container 10, suspension means 11,- for the container, and a closure means 12.

In accordance with the broader principles of the invention, any suitable or desired type of containier may be employed in connection with the Suspension means 11 and the closure means 12.

In the drawing, I have illustrated a glass flask or container of more or less conventional shape.

The container 10 illustrated in the drawing has a substantially flat bottom 13 and cylindrical sides or walls 14. A neck 15 of reduced diameter is provided on the upper end of the container.

The neck 15 is preferably cylindrical and is provided with a central opening 16. The upper end of the neck 15 is preferably flat and substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the opening 16.

In the preferred construction, the opening 16 of the container is of round cross section and is of comparatively large diameter. The flask or con tainer 10 may be formed of a hard glass capable of withstanding rapid temperature changes without failure or cracking.

The suspension means 11 is such that the container 10 may be suspended in an inverted position to permit its contents to be readily removed or discharged. The suspension means 11 includes a metal band 1'7 surrounding the container 10 adjacent its lower em. or bottom. The band 1'7 is arranged between spaced annular beads or flanges 18 which prevent its longitudinal displacement from the container. The band 17 is such that it may be easily and quickly applied to the container. In accordance with the invention, the band 17 is transversely split so that it may be sprung into position between the beads 18 and arranged with its end portions overlapping one another. In the preferred construction, the band 17 is channel-shaped in cross sectional configuration and arranged with its open or channel side inward. A tab or lug 19 is provided on one 35. end of the split band 17 to pass through an opening or'slot 20 in the other end part of the band. After being passed through the slot 20, the lug 19 may be bent over or back upon the band to tightly clamp the band onto the container. The

band 19 is provided to carry a handle or bail 21. The bail 21 may be in the nature of a curved rod or wire having radial end parts 22 pivotally carried in diametrically opposite openings in the band 17. The bail 21 is sufiiciently large so as to freely pass the bottom of the container 10 when the container is arranged on a horizontal support, as illustrated in Fig. 1. It will be apparent how the fiaskor container 10 may be readily suspended in an inverted position, such as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing-by arranging the bail 21 on a suitable hook H, or the like.

The closure means 12 is an important feature of the invention and includes, generally, a plug 23- for arrangement in the opening 16-of the container, a liquid discharge means 24, a closure disc 25 for arrangement on the plug 23, and a cap 26 for clamping the disc 25 in position.

The plug 23 is such that it tightly fits into the opening 16 and, together with the disc 25, is op- 0 erable to tightly seal the container. In accordance with the invention, the plug 23 is formed of pure g'um rubber and is proportioned to tightly fit the opening 16. The plug 23 is preferably of considerable depth or length, so as to have long sealing engagement with the walls of the opening 16, and is of such diameter that it very tightly fits the opening. In practice, the plug 23 may be proportioned so that it is under a compression strain when in position in the'opening 16 so that its periphery has effective pressural and sealing engagement with the walls of the opening. An annular radial flange or lip 2'7 is provided on the upper end of the plug 23 to seat on the upper end of the neck 15. The lip-2'7 provides an added sealing surface on the plug and prevents accidental displacement or passage of the plug into the container.

The liquid discharging means 24 is provided'to facilitate the removal of the liquid L from the container 10. The means 24 includes a siphon tube or air inlet tube 28. The upper end of the tube 28 is carried in an opening 29 in the plug 23. The lower or inner end portion of the opening 29 is proportioned so that the tube 28 is retained in position through the resiliency of the rubber plug 23. The upper end portion of the opening 29 is considerably reduced in diameter so that the tube 24 is positively prevented from reaching or projecting from the upper surface of the plug-23. An annular enlargement or groove 33 is provided at the lower end of the restricted portion of the opening 29 to receive an annular rim or lip 40 on the upper end of the tube 29. The lip 40 positively prevents displacement of the tube 28 from the opening. The siphon tube 28 passes through the container 10 to have its lower end at a point adjacent the bottom 13 of the container. The tube 28 is provided to pass air or atmospheric pressure into the container when the container is in an inverted position to provide for the discharging of the liquid. When the container is employed to handle intravenous solutions it is very important that bubbles of air do not pass out with the solution when discharged, as air in the solution may cause the death of the person to whom it is administered. The tube 28 in admitting air at the bottom of the container above the surface of the liquid prevents the discharge of air bubbles with the solution. A liquid discharging opening or port 30 is 110 provided in the closure plug 23. The port or opening 30 extends completely through the plug and its outer end is adapted to 'receive a nipple 31 for connection with a hose or tube 32. The

outer end portion of the opening 30 is restricted to more tightly receive the nipple.

The closure disc 25 is removably applied to the upper end of the plug 23-to close the upper ends of the openings 29 and 30. The closure disc 25 in the nature of a metal member formed to completely cover the upper end of the plug 23 and the upper end of its lip 27. In thepreferred form of the invention, the upper end of the plug 23 is flat and smooth and the disc 25 is in the nature of a flat member to evenly seat on and seal with the upper end of the plug. The upper ends of the openings 29 are covered and seated by the disc 25. The sealing or closure disc 25 extends across the upper side of the lip 2'7 and is provided at its periphery with a comparatively short lip 34 to extend downwardly at the periphery ofthe lip 2'7. The closure disc 25 may be coated with lacquer or otherwise suitably treated so that it will not be attacked or acted upon by the contents of the container.

The cap 26 is provided to clamp or retain the closure disc 25 in position on the plug 23. The cap 26 is an annular or tubular metal member removably threaded on the neck 15. An internal thread is provided in the cap 26 to cooperate with a thread 35 on the neck 15 of the container. An inwardly projecting flange 36 is provided at the upper end of the cap 26 'to engage or .clamp against the disc 25. The flange 36 may be grooved or channeled to increase its strength and rigidity. The cap 26 is normally threaded on the neck 15 to clamp against the disc 25 and retain the disc in position on the plug 23 and to compress the lip 2'7 of the plug against the upper end of the neck.

' invention, the liquid may be placed in the con-v the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve.

In employing the apparatus provided by my tainer 10 when heated or at a comparatively high temperature. The plug 23 carrying the siphon tube 28 may be arranged in the opening 16 either before or after the filling of the container. After the liquid has been placed in the flask or container 10, the closure disc 25 is positioned on the plug 23 and the'cap 26 may be threaded on the neck 15 to clamp the disc in position. Further, the cap 26 operates to compress the lip 27 against the upper end of the neck 15 and to positively prevent displacement of the plug 23 from the opening 16. The liquid L may then be heated to eifect its sterilization. During heating of the liquid, the plug 23 and disc 25'close the container opening 16 so thatthe liquid is not in contact with the outside atmosphere. The screw-threaded cap 26 positively prevents displacement of the plug 23 and the disc 25 during the heating or sterilization of the liquid L and the container 10 is sufficiently strong to withstand the internal pressure during the sterilization process. After the liquid L has been heated, it is permitted to cool. Upon cooling of the liquid L, a low or reduced pressure is created in the container so that the cap 26 is tightly held down against the plug 23 by' atmospheric pressure. Further, during heating of the liquid L, the plug and disc may become heated so that an efiective bond andseal is providedbetween the plug and closure disc when cooled. The cap 26 may then be removed from the neck 15 and the closuremeans tested. To test the closure means 12, an attempt is made to pry off the closure disc 25 by engaging under its peripheral lip 34. If the disc 25 tightly adheres to the plug 23, it is apparent'that a perfect seal has been obtainedbetween the disc and the plug 23. If desired, thecap 26, employed during the sterilization of theliquid, may be replaced by another cap before the apparatus is delivered to the user. The band 1'7 and the bail 21 may be applied to the container 10 after the sterilization of the liquid.

It is to be noted that the present invention provides an apparatus that may be employed in the sterilization of intravenous solutions and that is capable of maintaining the solution in a sterile condition for an indefinite period of time.

As the liquid is not exposed to the atmosphere -lower the temperature during the sterilization of the solution and thus preserve the character of the solution.

Having described only a typical preferred form of my invention,,I do not wish to limit myself to to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described in cluding, a container having an opening, a rubber plug in the opening, there being a dischargev opening in the plug and a second opening in the:

plug, an air tube having an end-carried in the inner part of the second opening, the air tube being operable to conduct air to a point in the container remote from the discharge opening,

the outer end part of the second opening being of reduced diameter, a removable disc adapted to be held in sealing engagement with the outer end of the plug to close the openings therein through the action of atmospheric pressure, and a cap threaded on the container for clamping against the disc.

2. A clo'sure means for a container'having a neck with an opening which includes; a rubber plug to close the opening, a flange-on-the plug discharge opening and an air inlet opening in the plug, a removable disc adapted to'be held in sealing engagement with the upper end of the .plug toclose .the openings therein, and a cap threaded on theneck to clamp the flange against the neck and to engage the disc.

3. A closure means for a container having a neck with an opening which includes, a gum rubber plug to close the opening, a flange on the plug to seat against the end of the neck, there being a discharge opening and an air inlet openthe flange against the neck and to engage the disc. 1

4. A closure means for a container having a neck with an opening which includes, a rubber plug to close the opening, a flange on the plug to seat against the end of the neck, there being a discharge openingand anair inlet opening in the plug, a removable disc adapted to be held insealing engagement with theupper end of the-plug to closethe openings therein, a peripheral lip on the disc extending downwardly over the outer to seat against the end of the neck, there being a edge of the flange and e'ngageable to determine the condition of the seal between the plug and disc, and a cap threaded on the neck to clamp 

